'Forget Singapore or Dubai, this is the best place to stopover on your way to Europe.'

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If you've ever done the long-haul trek from Australia to Europe, you know the drill: 14 hours, a quick scramble in a terminal, and another seven hours of trying to sleep upright. Hard enough doing it as a single or couple, but doing it with a young family? Incredibly tough. 

Recently, I was in Abu Dhabi for some study and had a few spare hours, so I took in some sights.

Honestly? I was absolutely blown away and I want to go back.

I heard some people saying they were doing it as a stopover and I thought that would be awesome on my next long haul flight, whenever that may be. 

Watch Mamamia's lifestyle editor on the must-pack travel essentials. Post continues below.

Here is why you should leave the airport next time you pass through.

The culture fix: Old vibes, new buildings.

The headline act is obviously the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

You see pictures of it and assume it's this ancient, centuries-old site, but it's actually not very old at all (it only opened in 2007!). That doesn't make it any less breathtaking.

The scale is impossible to describe until you are standing there. The white marble, the gold, the massive chandeliers; it is absolutely pristine. It feels spiritual and architectural all at once.

Tip — make sure you familiarise yourself with the dress code as you will not be allowed to enter if you are not following the rules. They are listed on the website.

For the ladies, if you do not have a head covering, there are a ton of shops around where you could purchase one. I wore a thin cotton scarf from home which was suitable.

Image: Supplied.

Then, there is the Louvre Abu Dhabi. It's located on Saadiyat Island (the cultural district). The art is world-class, but the building itself steals the show. The "Rain of Light" dome creates this dappled sunlight effect that follows you as you walk around. It is stunning.

The surprise highlight: teamLab Phenomena.

This was the shock of the trip.

I visited teamLab Phenomena (you might know them as "Team Planet" or from their famous spots in Tokyo). I've been to the one in Tokyo, so I thought I knew what to expect.

I was wrong. This one blew me away even more.

It is a fully immersive, digital art experience that reacts to you. It feels like walking inside a living organism or a futuristic dream. The first room feels like you have been transported to the Avatar forest.

If you think art galleries are boring, go here. It is absolute sensory overload in the best way possible.

Image: Supplied.

Adults will love it, but kids will have the time of their lives! They will be absolutely mesmerised. You'll want to plan a couple of hours there. 

Tip — splurge the extra circa $13 per person to have the experience in the Tea Room. You get access to a closed-off experience and can sit, meditate and enjoy a beautiful tea. Go for the cold ones as there's a special presentation for it.

Image: Supplied.

There is one room where you colour in a set outlined picture before you go in. One of the team scans it in before you walk into the exhibition room and you follow your drawing into the most amazing room full of art created by everyone around you.

Hot tip — make yours really unique and maybe even put your name on it so you can follow it. The lizards and snakes will stand out the most. If you love your artwork, you can actually get it printed on a shirt or a tote a little later on in the gallery.

It's worth it. Even when they are printing your art, it's a special experience, watching your art swimming across the wall. Check out my cute bag below. OK, maybe beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it's a tote I will treasure forever!

Image: Supplied.

There are shuttles that can take you around the Cultural District that can get you around Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena (the stop is right next to it), Zayed National Museum (the one shaped like falcon wings), Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and Mamsha Al Saadiyat (the beachfront dining area)

Where to stay in Abu Dhabi: The Beach Rotana.

I set up camp at the Beach Rotana. It's a great spot if you want a mix of city convenience and holiday vibes.

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It has its own beach and pool, which is rare right in the middle of a city. It's perfect for families or couples who want to chill by the water for a few hours before heading out, or cool off when you get home. There is a great gym as well and I would say probably the friendliest and most helpful hotel staff I've ever experienced. 

The best part? It is literally next door to the Abu Dhabi Mall. You can walk straight from the hotel into the shops.

The "boujee" factor: shopping and transport.

If you want to step it up a notch, take a five-minute Uber to Al Maryah Island (you can walk there, but if it's not winter, it might be a bit too warm). This is where you find The Galleria. It's super high-end, great for window shopping or blowing the budget. There's a great food court on the top floor which has a Maccas with a balcony so you can really take in the beautiful view. 

Getting around is ridiculously easy. The Ubers here are super boujee — often Lexus or Teslas — and they are surprisingly affordable compared to what we pay back home.

The food verdict.

A quick tip on food: If you eat in the hotels, you will pay hotel prices (which can get steep). But the beauty of Abu Dhabi is that if you venture out just a little bit, you can find pretty much anything you want — from incredible local shawarma to high-end dining — and options to fit any budget. 

The ultimate Abu Dhabi travel hack: how to stay for free.

As I said, it had me thinking, how do you book a stop-over without having to book multiple flights? Much to my surprise or really it shouldn't have been a surprise, but Etihad actually offers this. 

Here is the part that sounds too good to be true, but isn't.

Etihad has a program called "Abu Dhabi Stopover" where they will literally pay for your hotel.

If you book your flights with Etihad and plan a stopover of 24 hours or more, you can score a complimentary hotel stay for up to two nights at a 3-star or 4-star hotel. 

Here is exactly how to book it:

Two "Need to Know" Tips:

The verdict.

Don't just transit through Abu Dhabi.

Give it 24 or 48 hours. You get a beach holiday, a culture trip, and a futuristic art experience all in one, and you'll arrive in Europe actually feeling refreshed.

Feature image: Supplied.